{
  "id": 4652302,
  "title": "Nashik: ‘Slash-and-Rob’ Incidents Trigger Security Alert On Samruddhi Mahamarg; 24-Hour Patrols Deployed",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/nashik-slash-and-rob-incidents-trigger-security-alert-on-samruddhi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T13:30:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/nashik-slash-and-rob-incidents-trigger-security-alert-on-samruddhi-mahamarg-24-hour-patrols-deployed"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nashik district police have heightened security after a series of incidents on the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg last week. 'Slash-and-rob' robberies, where criminals punctured vehicle tyres to steal valuables, occurred on the highway in the Sinnar and Vavi regions. On Thursday night, a gang punctured a car's tyres in Maldhon and Dushingpur areas of Sinnar taluka. Upon stopping, the vehicle's occupants were robbed of jewellery, watches, and cash, totaling around ₹18,09,500. In another incident, armed robbers scaled highway barriers and approached a car, fleeing after the driver fired two warning shots. Nashik police have established a 24-hour patrol system along the 96-km highway, which spans four police stations: Vavi, Sinnar, Ghoti, and Igatpuri. Recognizing the threat posed by criminal gangs exploiting deserted roads, the police have taken swift action. District Superintendent of Police Dr D S Swami personally reviewed the security measures and assured the public that investigations into the suspected gang are progressing rapidly. Authorities advise motorists to be vigilant, especially at night, and to report suspicious activity to the police immediately.",
  "summary": "Nashik: The district police force has gone on high alert following three or four robbery incidents on the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg last week. Special security measures have been implemented on the highway after ‘slash-and-rob’ incidents, in which criminals punctured tyres to commit robberies, occurred within the limits of Sinnar and Vavi in a single night. What happened? Late Thursday…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}